New Zealand is to put $6.1m towards expanding specialist health services
and addressing non-communicable diseases in Samoa, Prime Minister Bill
English says.
Mr English announced the funding, to be spread over five years, during a
visit to Tupua Tamasese National Hospital, in Apia today. While at the
hospital, Mr English met with patients and staff, and had the opportunity
to see first-hand how New Zealands investments in infrastructure and
support of the national health system are benefitting the people of Samoa.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley today visited the clean-up teams
in Edgecumbe which have successfully completed their second week of work.

"The Government has provided up to $500,000 of Enhanced Taskforce Green
funding to employ people to assist Whakatane District Council with the
clean-up," says Mrs Tolley.

"Three clean-up teams have been working hard over the last two weeks to
clear debris from Edgecumbe township and surrounding public spaces,
including Thornton Beach Reserve, Edgecumbe Domain and local playgrounds.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean today announced the
reappointment of Tracey Berry as a member of the Financial Advisers
Disciplinary Committee for a term of five years.
"Ms Berry was appointed to the disciplinary committee in December 2010. Ms
Berry brings to the role more than 20 years experience in financial
services, specialising in wealth management, regulatory affairs, compliance
and distribution," Ms Dean says.
"I am pleased to be able to reappoint someone of Ms Berrys calibre to this
committee.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Minister for Tertiary
Education, Skills and Employment Paul Goldsmith today welcomed the official
launch of the Auckland Airport Jobs and Skills Hub - Ara.
"Ara is an industry-led skills and employment initiative that connects
employers based at the Airport with local jobseekers in South Auckland,"
says Mrs Tolley.
"This skills hub is part of the Governments approach to partner with
businesses to deliver wider economic and social benefits.

Around $30 million will be invested in school property in the Bay of Plenty
as part of Budget 2017, say Education Minister Nikki Kaye and Associate
Education Minister Tim Macindoe.
Ms Kaye visited Pillans Point School in Tauranga today to announce details
of the investment, along with MP for Tauranga Simon Bridges and MP for Bay
of Plenty Todd Muller.
The investment includes:

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New Zealander appointed to senior UN role

Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has today welcomed the appointment of a New
Zealander to an important role at the United Nations.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has confirmed the
appointment of New Zealander Jan Beagle to the position of
Under-Secretary-General for Management for a term of four years.
"This is a significant role with the United Nations given the new
Secretary-Generals reform priorities. It is one of a handful of very senior
roles within the UN Secretariat," Mr Brownlee says.

Chocolate lovers and Samoan cocoa growers will both benefit from a $4.8m,
five-year programme of support for Samoas cocoa industry, Prime Minister
Bill English announced in Samoa today.
"Samoa has ideal conditions to produce larger amounts of high value,
chocolate-grade cocoa," Mr English says.
Samoa exported about 5000 tonnes of cocoa annually during the 1960s, but
exports have since declined to only 40 to 50 tonnes a year.

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Government to ease restrictions on Cannabidiol

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says New Zealand is to remove
restrictions around cannabidiol (CBD), in line with international
developments.
CBD is a substance found in cannabis that has potential therapeutic value.
It has little or no psychoactive properties, yet it is currently a
controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
"At present CBD products for therapeutic use are only available if approval
is given by the Ministry of Health.

Communications Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage
Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed the announcement of a safe, interactive
ad-free space for primary school age children to explore and enjoy online
local media content.
The new media initiative is a collaboration between NZ On Air and TVNZ. The
interactive curated website will be run by a newly formed team at TVNZ,
utilising the companys expertise and technology.

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Young Māori entrepreneurs get workshop help

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is welcoming a partnership
with the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) to build entrepreneurship and
business skills with rangatahi.
A series of five entrepreneurship workshops for Year 10 and 11 Māori
students will be held under He kai kei aku ringa (HKKAR) - the Crown-Māori
economic growth partnership.

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New learning space for Waimate High School

Associate Minister of Education Louise Upston today opened a new learning
space at Waimate High School.
The school prioritised funding to upgrade one of its buildings to create
three collaborative teaching spaces and modernise its infrastructure and
information and communication technology (ICT).
"Its fantastic to see Waimate High Schools staff and board of trustees
rising to the challenge of modern learning by improving its physical and
ICT environment for its students and the wider community," Ms Upston says.

New Zealand will provide $750,000 to support landmine clearance in
Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced.
"New Zealand has a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, including
support for renewable energy and agriculture projects, as well as the
deployment of the New Zealand Defence Force to Bamyan," Mr Brownlee says.
"The funding, announced today, will see about $750,000 given to the United
Nations Mine Action Service.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Sport and Recreation Minister
Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry
welcome the kick-off of the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017.
The New Zealand Lions Series 2017 will take place from 3 June to 8 July
2017, and will see the British & Irish Lions rugby team play ten matches
against New Zealand in seven host cities, including three test matches.
The series starts tomorrow night when the Lions take on the New Zealand
Provincial Barbarians at Whangareis Toll Stadium.